In Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the sword is central to the film's plot. Named The Green Destiny, Li Mu Bai [Yun-Fat Chow], a renowned warrior, decides to give up his treasured ancient sword to an old friend, Be-Lai-Ye [Shihung Lung]. The sword is stolen by a mysterious master of the martial arts, Jade Fox [Pei-pei Cheng].

Directed by Ang Lee, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was a phenomenal success worldwide, receiving ten Academy Award nominations and winning Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Film in a Foreign Language and Best Original Music Score; it was equally successful at the BAFTAs receiving fifteen nominations and winning the Anthony Asquith Award for Best Film Score, Best Costume Design, Best Film not in the English Language and the David Lean Award for Direction.